Lot Number 694

One of the brightest, most dynamic jersey styles of all time, "The Rainbow" had its heyday in the 1970s and early 1980s. According to an accompanying Lou Lampson LOA, this example "appears to be a late '70s Astros Rainbow carryover, issued to Nolan Ryan for use in spring training in 1980." Lampson's letter adds, "During spring training of 1980, Ryan was wearing a rainbow with blue/orange v-neck collar, obviously a 1979 carryover. There are outline remnants of a previous nameplate on the jersey, and a new plate 'Ryan' is affixed." Lampson also notes that the jersey was likely worn by Gordy Plasson in 1979 and perhaps by Rick Williams in 1978: "Starting in 1980, Plasson was issued #33, to accommodate Ryan's choice of #34." Arriving from the Angels, the Ryan Express posted an 11-10 record in his debut Astros season. Light wear with some staining on the front side.